Willits council ousts city manager

The Willits City Council fired City Manager Paul Cayler during a special 4 p.m. council meeting Friday afternoon.

Cayler was given his 45 days notice and is not expected to return to city offices due to accumulated vacation time, according to Mayor Holly Madrigal. Appointing an interim city manager is the expected topic of a special council closed session planned prior to Wednesday's regularly scheduled council meeting, says Madrigal.

The move came as no surprise to many who follow council activities. The city manager's performance review was one of the closed session topics at the council's January 9 meeting. Tom Woodhouse, ne of Cayler's most vocal critics, spoke at that meeting, calling for the city council to have the courage to fire Cayler.

The early retirement of popular Community Development Director Alan Falleri in December was considered by many to be the final straw. Woodhouse told the council he knew of several other city employees who also were looking for work, calling Falleri the "canary in a coal mine."

The following press release was provided Friday by the Willits City Council:

"The Willits City Council announces the departure of Paul Cayler, city manager since 2008. Mr. Cayler joined the City of Willits at a challenging time in its history. The "Great Recession" was approaching its peak. City revenues and expenditures were out of balance. Additionally, the city was in the midst of a number of significant capital improvement projects that required renewed focus and leadership.

Throughout this period, Mr. Cayler was able to handle a multitude of complex matters with competency and skill, while demonstrating the highest ethical standards and honesty.

"The Willits City Council has chosen to pursue a different direction with regard to the city manager position. Enacting the separation agreement outlined in the city manager's contract, the council will appoint an interim city manager to facilitate the transition of leadership.

"Paul Cayler can be proud of his accomplishments at the City of Willits and the council thanks him for his service to this community."

Cayler joined the city in October 2008 after a divided council struggled for nearly nine months during its last search for a city manager.

Cayler was the Mendocino County deputy chief executive officer when he was tapped for the Willits post.